How to paint a boat

[SweetAccord]

Ok I have a question that just may be stupid. I'm done will all the painting. Now it's to the sanding the final coat before applying the clear. My stupid question is do you really need to sand it down to a perfect smooth finish or can it be slightly rough?

[Brushless55]

Ok I have a question that just may be stupid. I'm done will all the painting. Now it's to the sanding the final coat before applying the clear. My stupid question is do you really need to sand it down to a perfect smooth finish or can it be slightly rough?

not a stupid question bro...
the better the prep work is the better your final results will be
bad prep will usually show through the final paint job

[SweetAccord]

not a stupid question bro...
the better the prep work is the better your final results will be
bad prep will usually show through the final paint job

Thank you. I just was hoping for less work and a slight ruffness would hide behind the clear, guess not. Darn.

Thank you.

[dana]

Thank you. I just was hoping for less work and a slight ruffness would hide behind the clear, guess not. Darn.

Thank you.

you can sand the color if you want, i usually opt for just burying 3 coats of clear a day for maybe 9 coats then sand clear smooth and buff. you'll end up taking like 4 or 5 coats of clear off when you sand. spray cans are very thinned. and if metallics are being used sanding the color coats will look like rubbish when you clear

[Brushless55]

I do sand my clear coats with 1000*
I lay two coats and dry for a day, then sand it good and follow with two more coats, and it comes out smooth

[SweetAccord]

Wow thanks guys. I'm using Krylon white color and Krylon flat clear. Clear is not on yet as I'm still getting the hull perfect by sanding. The hatch is done but the hull just has a lot of nooks and crannies. I'm not in a hurry just want it to come out nice. I appreciate the advice.

[sailr]

I use 1500, wet, on the clear coats and then shoot again. If not happy, I sand again and then use rubbing compound and polish.

I do sand my clear coats with 1000*
I lay two coats and dry for a day, then sand it good and follow with two more coats, and it comes out smooth

[SweetAccord]

I use 1500, wet, on the clear coats and then shoot again. If not happy, I sand again and then use rubbing compound and polish.

Wonderful! I'm getting nervous about doing the clear. I may have to make a paint booth to get it to come out nice. Thanks for the input.

[Brushless55]

Wonderful! I'm getting nervous about doing the clear. I may have to make a paint booth to get it to come out nice. Thanks for the input.

Yeah, dust can jack up the paint

[TheShaughnessy]

i have a white base coat sprayed right now but i need to do a little bit of sanding and fill a couple little holes i couldn't see until i sprayed some white on there. How long are you guys waiting after a coat to do some sanding with the 400? 90% happy just have a couple spots to clean up but, sanding paint and having it get all gummy on ya is a turd.

[Brushless55]

I use wet sanding paper and wait about an hour or two

[buck_jackson75]

Hi guys,
Can one use enamel paint and enamel clear on a fiberglass boat? I happen to have it already....

[ray schrauwen]

I use 1500, wet, on the clear coats and then shoot again. If not happy, I sand again and then use rubbing compound and polish.

What kind of rubbing compound?

I have some Mequires cleaner polish, can that be used? I had clear coated my PTSS in too humid weather and the coating went all cloudy white, crap.

I wet sanded lightly with wet 800 then more with wet 1500. I tried a little test spot with said above wax and, by hand it buffed up o.k.

What is proper method to buff up a wet sanded clear coat? can it be done by hand effectively??

Just trying to fix a near botched paint job.

Lastly, the small spot I test buffed, if I wet sand it again can I clear over it o.k. with no ill effects from the wax??

Thanks Sailr

[ray schrauwen]

What brand of enamel paint? Typically enamels are not very tough paints that I know of...

Hi guys,
Can one use enamel paint and enamel clear on a fiberglass boat? I happen to have it already....

[Heaving Earth]

Ray, it's much easier to just sand and recoat, then to sand and buff.